Color and texture match ratings for optimal match selection

ABSTRACT

A computer system for analyzing a paint sample and generating values that describe various attributes of a proposed matching color can comprise instructions for receiving from a coating-measurement instrument one or more coating variables of a target coating. The system can also comprise instructions for calculating coating texture ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches. The coating texture ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating texture characteristics of the target coating and respective coating texture characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. Additionally, the system can comprise instructions for sending instructions to generate a user interface that depicts overall rankings of at least a portion of the proposed coating matches. The overall rankings indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the coating texture ratings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/047,950 filed on Feb. 19, 2016 and entitled “COLOR AND TEXTURE MATCH RATINGS FOR OPTIMAL MATCH SELECTION,” which application is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coatings have been used for hundreds of years for protection and to add visual appeal to products and structures. For example, houses are painted or stained in order to protect the underlying siding from the weather and also to add aesthetic qualities to a house. Similarly, automobiles are painted, sometimes with multiple purpose-made layers, to protect the metal body of the vehicle and also to add visual appeal to the vehicle.

Various coatings may have specific features and properties that are beneficial or desirable for certain uses. For example, different coatings can have different electrical conductive properties, different chemical reactivity properties, different hardness properties, different UV properties, and other different use-specific properties. Additionally, coatings may comprise unique visual features. For example, some automotive coatings comprise texture features that give the coating unique visual effects.

The ability to provide highly consistent coating compositions is an important aspect in many different coating markets. For example, it is desirable for decorative coatings to comprise consistent colors and visual features. Similarly, the ability to match previously applied coatings to available coating colors is important. For example, when fixing a scratch in a car's coating, it is desirable to match both the color and the texture of the original coating. The ability to match coatings requires both consistent coating compositions and tools for correctly identifying the target coating and/or identifying an acceptable composition to match the target coating.

Significant technical difficulties exist in providing complex coating and texture information to end users. For example, coating information involves large numbers of distinct measurements from different angles. The resulting datasets can be large and difficult to use in practice. As such, there is a need for technically sound methods and schemes for processing large coating datasets and presenting the resulting information to end users in consistent terms that are easy to use and understand.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of a computer system for analyzing a paint sample and generating values that describe various attributes of a proposed matching color can comprise instructions for receiving from a coating-measurement instrument one or more coating sparkle characteristics of a target coating. The system can also comprise instructions for calculating sparkle ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches. The sparkle ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating sparkle characteristics of the target coating and respective coating sparkle characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. Additionally, the system can comprise instructions for sending instructions to generate a user interface that depicts overall rankings of at least a portion of the proposed coating matches. The overall rankings indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the sparkle ratings.

Additionally, implementations for a computerized method for matching a paint sample to various proposed paint coating can comprise an act of receiving one or more coating characteristics of a target coating from a coating-measurement instrument. The method can also comprise an act of displaying effect texture ratings for multiple respective proposed coating matches on a digital display device. The effect texture ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating characteristics of the target coating and respective coating characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. Additionally, the method can include an act for ordering at least a portion of the proposed coating matches. The ordering indicates a strength in similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the coating texture ratings.

Further, implementations of a computer program product can comprise instructions for a method that include an act of receiving from a coating-measurement instrument one or more coating variables and one or more coating sparkle variables of a target coating. Additionally, the method can comprise an act of calculating effect texture ratings for multiple respective proposed coating matches. The effect texture ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more effect texture characteristics of the target coating and respective effect textures characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. Further, the method can comprise an act of calculating sparkle ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches. The sparkle ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating sparkle characteristics of the target coating and respective coating sparkle characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. Further still, the method can comprise an act of generating a user interface that depicts overall rankings of at least a portion of the proposed coating matches. The overall rankings can indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the coating texture ratings and the texture color ratings.

Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered in the following by reference to the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary or typical implementations of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a system for calculating a coating texture in accordance with implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 2A depicts a relative texture characteristic chart and accompanying example coatings in accordance with implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 2B depicts another relative texture characteristic chart and accompanying example coatings in accordance with implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 2C depicts yet another relative texture characteristic chart and accompanying example coatings in accordance with implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a line chart of relative texture characteristics in accordance with implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a table of texture variables in accordance with implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a graph of a correlation of perceived texture characteristics in accordance with implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary coating texture information user interface in accordance with implementations of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts another exemplary coating texture information user interface 700 in accordance with implementations of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 depicts a flow chart of steps within a method for matching a paint sample to various proposed paint coatings in accordance with implementations of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to a method, interpretation process, and apparatus for providing assessments of colorimetric and physical property attributes of cured simple and complex paint mixtures inside and outside of a laboratory environment. It further explains a unique methodology to utilize the supplied information to select an optimal match for appropriate matches in a database or other appropriate sample, or quality assurance purposes.

The present invention extends to systems, methods, and apparatus configured to characterize a target coating with respect to one or more previously analyzed reference coatings. Herein, computer systems and data acquisition devices may be used to gather texture information from a target coating and generate one or more texture outputs that describe the target coating relative to one or more other coatings. The present invention may employ computer systems and data acquisition devices for receiving large data sets of texture variables and transforming the large dataset into simplified and readily useable texture value indicators. Further, the present invention may also comprise data transformations for mapping unprocessed texture variables to human-perceived texture characteristics. Implementations of the present invention provide novel and non-obvious improvements to the field of coating matching.

Accordingly, the present invention provides novel and innovative systems and methods for analyzing and matching coating textures. In contrast to conventional methods of displaying texture differences, the present invention can provide simple and clear information that is understandable by a lay person. Additionally, the present invention can provide a true visual texture match for an analyzed coating. In particular, according to the present invention a target coating may be matched to reference data that is based upon visual impressions of a large cross-section of the general population. As such, the present invention can provide a simpler and more accurate means for analyzing and matching coating texture.

At least one implementation of the present invention can comprise a coating texture calculation software application 100. FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a system for calculating a coating texture. In particular, FIG. 1 shows the software application 100 can comprise a data input module 120 that is configured to receive target coating variables from an image and coating color variables from a target coating. As used herein, the data input module 120 comprises an application program interface (“API”) for communicating with the coating texture calculating software application 100, a user interface for communicating with the coating texture calculating software application 100, or any other function configured to receive input into and/or send output out of the coating texture calculating software application 100. The target coating variables may comprise target coating variables generated from an image of a target coating.

For example, FIG. 1 shows that the data input module 120 may be in communication with a coating-measurement instrument, such as a camera-enabled spectrophotometer 110 that provides the software application 100 with a set of target coating variables for a target coating. As used herein, target coating variables comprise texture related data received from either a spectrophotometer or from an algorithm that has processed an image of a coating. The target coating variables may comprise a variety of different measurements relating to the target coating, including readings at a wide-range of different angles. Additionally, in at least one implementation, the actual data received from the camera-enabled spectrophotometer may be dependent on the type and brand of camera-enabled spectrophotometer. For instance, different brands of camera-enabled spectrophotometers may measure different characteristics of a coating and may perform unique internal processing on the data before communicating it to a computer for further processing. As such, coating variables can comprise a wide variety of different forms and values depending upon how the specific data was initially gathered and processed.

In alternate implementations, the data input module 120 may directly receive an image of a coating. The received image may comprise a photograph taken with at least three-times optical zoom with a digital camera. The data input module 120 may be configured to analyze the image of the coating and calculate desired texture variables. In at least one implementation, a black-and-white image is utilized to calculate the set of texture variables for the target coating because calculations can be simplified by removing color information. In contrast, in at least one implementation, a color image can be used to calculate the set of texture variables for the target coating because additional texture information may be available in a color image that would not otherwise be accessible in a black-and-white image.

FIG. 1 further shows that data input module 120 can provide the coating color variables to a color match module 170. The color coating variables can be received from a spectrometer and processed using conventional methods. Using the coating color variables, the color match module 170 can search a coating information database 140 for one or more colors that most closely match the color of the target coating. In at least one implementation, each of the colors stored within the coating information database 140 can be associated with a particular coating and with coating variables. For example, the color match module 170 may determine that the target coating comprises a forest green color that is similar to a particular group of color stored within the coating information database 140.

Once one or more proposed matching colors have been identified, the color match module 170 can provide the texture calculating module 130 with indicators of the proposed matches. The indicators can comprise pointers to the proposed matches within the coating information database, data structures comprising information about each proposed match, or any other data communication that provides the texture calculating module 130 with access to the necessary coating information for the proposed matches. As shown in FIG. 1, the texture calculation module 130 can then access, from within the coating information database 140, the coating variables that are associated with each of the one or more proposed matching coatings.

Using the coating variables associated with the proposed matching coatings and the coating variables associated with the target coating, the texture calculation module 130 can calculate a correlation between the target coating and each of the proposed matching coatings. Based upon the calculated correlation, the texture calculation module 130 can calculate a set of relative texture characteristics for the proposed matching coating that indicate relative differences in texture between the proposed matching coating and the target coating. Each of the relative texture characteristics can comprise an assessment over all angles of the target coating.

The relative texture characteristics may be based on human-provided relative visual impressions between different reference coatings. For example, the relative visual impressions can comprise a relative coarseness, a relative sparkle intensity, and/or a relative sparkle density with respect to a plurality of different reference coatings. The relative impressions can be gathered by having a large group of diverse individuals view several different coating samples with respect to each other. The individuals can then state their impression as to various texture characteristics of the samples.

For instance, the individuals may be asked to rate the respective samples as having relatively more or less overall texture on a numeric scale. Similarly, the individuals can be asked to rate the respective samples on a relative scale with respect to coarseness, sparkle intensity, and/or sparkle density. The relative impressions can then be statistically mapped to coating variables that are associated with each of the respective samples. Accordingly, a statistical correlation can be created between each of the coating variables received from the spectrophotometer and the human perception of various texture characteristics.

The texture calculation module 130 can utilize the statistical correlation to identify a set of relative texture characteristics of the target coating with respect to each of the proposed coating matches. For example, the texture calculation module 130 can calculate a relative coarseness value, a relative texture density value, and/or a relative texture intensity value. Additionally, the texture calculation module 130 can calculate an overall relative texture characteristic value based upon the set of relative texture characteristics. For example, the overall relative texture characteristic value can be directly derived from correlation to human perception, or the overall relative texture characteristic value can be calculated from an average of other relative texture data.

The display module 150 can then display the identified relative texture characteristics to a user (e.g., at display 160) on a graphical user interface, such that the user can easily identify the difference in texture characteristics between the target coating and each of the proposed matching coatings. The displayed relative texture characteristics may comprise the single overall texture value, the relative coarseness value, the relative texture density value, and/or the relative texture intensity value. As such, various implementations of the present invention can significantly simplify and standardize the texture information that is displayed to an end user.

Providing a simple indication of a human-perceived difference between one or more coatings can provide significant improvements to the technical field of coating matching. In particular, providing a consistent and standard basis for distinguishing texture attributes of a coating addresses significant shortcoming in the technical art. As such, utilizing a statistically standardized approach to utilizing human-perception of texture differences can provide an innovative method for matching coating textures. For example, in at least one implementation, relative texture values can be provided with respect to all available coating compositions, such that it is not necessary to identify specific potential matching coatings in order to generate relative texture values. Instead, standardized texture values can be calculated based upon a large color space.

FIG. 2A depicts an example of a chart 230 derived from gathering and utilizing human-perceived texture differences within implementations of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 2A depicts a first example coating 200, a second example coating 210 and a human-perspective texture comparison chart 230. While the first example coating 200 and the second example coating 210 are depicted in image form in FIG. 2A, when presented to a user, the first example coating 200 and the second example coating 210 can also be actual painted and cured panels. As such, the user(s) are provided with true and accurate representations of the final coating color and texture.

The human-perspective texture comparison chart 230 is directed towards differences in visual appearance between the first example coating 200 and the second example coating 310. For example, the human-perspective texture comparison chart 230 requests that a human user indicate whether they perceive that the first example coating 200 comprises more or less overall perceived texture than the second example coating 210. As indicated by the human-perspective texture comparison chart 230 of FIG. 2A, a human user may be asked to rate the two example coatings 200, 210 with regards to a variety of different texture characteristics. Each rating may be provided using a pre-defined scale of rating options 260(a-e).

A large number of users with different racial, gender, and other demographic differences can be asked to compare the same two example coatings 200, 210 and provide their own respective perceived texture differences. The total resulting perceptions of the variety of users can then be respectively summarized such that an typical, or most-likely, predicted human-perceived texture comparison for each requested texture question is calculated.

In the example depicted in FIG. 2A, the user determined that the first example coating 200 comprises a “little less” overall perceived texture than the second example coating 210. Additionally, FIG. 2A shows that the user determined that the first example coating 200 comprises “relatively equal” perceived coarseness to the second example coating 210. Further, FIG. 2A shows that the user determined that the first example coating 200 comprises “a lot less” sparkle intensity than the second example coating 210. Further still, FIG. 2A shows that the user determined that the first example coating 200 comprises a “little less” sparkle density than the second example coating 210.

FIG. 2B depicts a similar human-perspective texture comparison chart 230 to the one depicted in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2B, however, the chart shows that the user compares the first example coating 200 to a third example coating 220. As indicated by the human-perspective texture comparison chart 240 of FIG. 2B, the third example coating 220 comprises a different texture characteristic profile than either the first example coating 200 or the second example coating 210.

FIG. 2C depicts yet another human-perspective texture comparison chart 230. In this particular depiction, a user is comparing the third example coating 220 to the second example coating 210. Accordingly, FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate several different results that may be derived from human-perceived comparisons between a variety of different example coatings and to provide human-perspective comparisons between the example coatings across a range of different texture characteristics. The human-perspective comparisons provided to the human-perspective texture comparison charts 230 of FIGS. 2A-2C can be translated into relative numerical values. The resulting values can then be stored in a coating information database 140.

For example, FIG. 3 depicts a number line 330 with indications 300, 310, 320 of each respective example coating 200, 210, 220. In particular, FIG. 3 shows that the “X” indication 300 represents the first example coating 200, while the square indicator 310 represents the second example coating 210, and the circle indicator 320 represents the third example coating 220. The illustrated number line 330 may represent the examples coatings 200, 210, 220 relative relationships to each other with respect to their overall perceived texture. One will understand that the number line 330 is merely exemplary and is provided for the sake of clarity and example. In practice the relationship between various texture characteristics of different coatings may comprise a far more complex, multi-variable relationship that is much more difficult to conveniently depict and describe. Accordingly, the number line 330 is provided as a simplified example to establish various innovative and novel features in implementations of the present invention.

The human-perspective texture comparison charts 230, 240, 250 of FIGS. 2A-2C comprise five different relative indications 260(a-e). In at least one implementation, a relative value can be assigned to each indicator for each comparison between two respective example coatings, with one of the example coatings being considered the “target” from which the other example coating is to be compared. For example, the “a lot less than target” indicator 260 a may be assigned a relative value of −2, the “a little less than target” indicator 260 b may be assigned a relative value of −1, the “relatively equal to target” indicator 260 c may be assigned a relative value of 0, the “a little more than target” indicator 260 d may be assigned a relative value of +1, and the “a lot more than target” indicator 260 e may be assigned a relative value of +2. One will understand that the above provided integers of −2, −1, 0, +1, +2 are provided for the sake of example and clarity. Various implementations can utilize different schemes, including non-integer and non-numerical schemes to quantify human-perception.

Returning to the human-perspective texture comparison in FIG. 2A with respect to “overall perceived texture,” the user indicated that the first example coating 200 comprises “a little less” overall perceived texture than the second example coating 210. As such, a numerical value of −1 can be assigned to the first example coating 200 with respect to the second example coating 210.

In FIG. 2B with respect to “overall perceived texture,” the user indicated that the first example coating 200 comprises “a lot more” overall perceived texture than the third example coating 220. As such, a numerical value of +2 can be assigned to the first example coating 200 with respect to the third example coating 220.

In FIG. 2C with respect to “overall perceived texture,” the user indicated that the third example coating 220 comprises “a lot less” overall perceived texture than the second example coating 210. As such, a numerical value of −2 can be assigned to the third example coating 220 with respect to the second example coating 210.

An analysis of the above human-perspective texture comparison data reveals that the third example coating 220 comprises “a lot less” overall perceived texture than both the first example coating 200 and the second example coating 210. This conclusion can be reached based upon the assumption that the human-perspective texture comparison data in FIG. 2B, which indicates that the first example coating 200 comprises “a lot more” perceived texture than the third example coating 220, is the equivalent to the third example coating 220 comprising “a lot less” perceived texture than the first example coating 200. A further, similar analysis of the human-perspective texture comparison data reveals the second example coating 210 comprise a little more overall perceived texture than the first example coating 200 and a lot more overall perceived texture than the third example coating 220.

These relationships can be depicted by placing the “X” indicator 300 for the first example coating 200 at “0” on the number line 330. In this example, the first example coating 200 is placed at the “0” as a form of normalizing the numerical relationships around the median human-perspective texture comparison data point—in this case, the first example coating 200. The above data indicated that the second example coating 210 was +1 higher in texture than the first example coating 200. This relationship can be represented by placing the square indicator 210 for the second example coating 210 on the “+1” on the number line 330.

The placement of the third example coating 220 on the number line 300 may comprise accounting for two different human-perspective texture comparison data points. For example, the human-perspective texture comparison data indicates that the third example coating 220 comprises “a lot less” overall perceived texture than the second example coating 210. Additionally, the human-perspective texture comparison data indicates that the first example coating 200 comprises “a lot more” overall perceived texture than the third example coating 220. In other words, assigning a numerical value to the relationships would require that the third example coating 220 be assigned a numerical value of −2 with respect to both the first example coating 200 and the second example coating 210.

Because the first example coating 200 and the second example coating 210 have different overall perceived textures with respect to each other, in at least one implementation, the numerical value of −2 assigned to the third example coating 220 can be treated as a minimum difference. As such, the third example coating 220 can be placed on the number line 330, such that it is at least a numerical value of −2 lower than both the first example coating 200 and the second example coating 210. This relationship is depicted in FIG. 3 by placing the circle indicator 320 for the third example coating 220 at the “−2”, while placing the “X” indicator 300 for the first example coating 200 at “0” on the number line 330, and placing the square indicator 210 for the second example coating 210 on the “+1” on the number line 330.

While the number line 330 of FIG. 3 is limited to data from the first example coating 200, the second example coating 210, and the third example coating 220, one will appreciate that in at least one implementation, the number line 330 can comprise information from a company's entire coating portfolio or from a large number of random coatings. Creating a number line 330 that accounts for a large number of coatings may result in a standard basis by which any coating (whether originally accounted for on the number line or not) can be rated. Stated more generally, comparing a large number of different coatings, and their associated textures, can result in a standard comparison metric by which textures can be universally compared. The universal standard may allow a user to enter a single coating into the coating texture calculation software application 100 and receive an indication of how the coating's texture compares with respect to the large number of randomly entered coating textures. Accordingly, in at least one implementation, the coating texture calculation software application 100 can provide standardized indicators regarding the texture of a particular coating, without requiring the user to enter specific comparison coatings.

FIG. 4 depicts a coating analysis output data table 400 comprising example data received from a spectrophotometer 110. FIG. 4 depicts four exemplary data variables (λ, δ, σ, and θ) for the first example coating 200, the second example coating 210, and the third example coating 220, respectively. As used herein, the data variables, λ, δ, σ, and θ, are merely exemplary. Various different spectrophotometers may provide unique proprietary output data. Similarly, in implementations where the coating texture calculation software application 100 processes images (i.e., photographs) itself, it may also provide a unique data set of output variables. Accordingly, the examples provided here with respect to variables λ, δ, σ, and θ are merely for the sake of clarity and discussion and should not be read to limit the present invention to any particular method, system, or apparatus.

In at least one implementation, the coating analysis output data table 400 and the human-perspective texture comparison charts 230 can be statistically analyzed with pattern matching algorithms, machine learning techniques, or otherwise analyzed to identify correlations and patterns between the various variables within the data table 400 and the relative texture characteristics obtained by human-perspective texture comparisons. For example, it may be identified that there is an inverse relationship between the difference between λ and δ and the overall perceived texture of a coating. For example, with respect to the third example coating 220, λ is 114 and 6 is 21, which results in a difference of 93. In contrast, the differences between λ and δ for the first example coating 210 and the second example coating 200 are 36 and 7, respectively. As such, the third example coating 220 with the least amount of overall perceived texture comprises the greatest difference between λ and δ, while the second example coating with the greatest amount of overall perceived texture comprises the least difference between λ and δ.

In at least one implementation, correlations and/or relationships can be identified between the coating analysis output data table 400 and a wide variety of different random coatings. Additionally, the identified correlations and/or relationships can be used to derive formulas describing the identified correlations and/or relationships. As such, the coating texture calculation software application 100 can process a new, unique coating and interpolate various human-perspective texture characteristics.

For example, FIG. 5 depicts a graph 500 of the differences between λ and δ for the first, second, and third example coatings, along with their respective overall perceived texture. In particular, the graph 500 depicts overall perceived texture 520 on the Y-axis and the difference between λ and δ 510 on the X-axis. Additionally, using conventional curve fitting algorithms or other complex statistical analysis, an equation can be developed that draws a line 530 between each of the respective data points 310, 300, 320.

In at least one implementation, the equation can then be used to interpolate the overall perceived texture for other coatings, based upon the λ and δ variables received from the respective target coating. While the equation of FIG. 5 is depicted as being linear and only depending upon the difference between λ and δ, in at least one implementation, the relationship between the received output variables and a particular perceived texture characteristics may be far more complex. As such, the graph 500 and relationship depicted in FIG. 5 is provided only for the sake of example and clarity.

The resulting identified correlations and/or relationships can be used in the methods and systems according to the present invention for assisting users in easily and quickly evaluating and/or matching coatings based upon coating characteristics. For example, FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary coating information user interface 600 that can be generated by the display module 150 of FIG. 1. In the depicted implementation, the coating texture information user interface 600 is depicted as a webpage within a web browser; however, in alternate implementations the user interface 600 may be depicted within a standalone application, in association with a purpose-made texture identification device, or within any other system that provides a display device.

As disclosed above, at least one implementation of creating a user interface 600 comprises first receiving from a coating-measurement instrument one or more coating variables, wherein coating variables comprise data variables received from a particular coating-measurement device. The coating-measurement instrument can comprise a spectrometer for detecting color data, a camera-enabled spectrometer for detecting color and texture data, a camera for gathering color and texture data, or any other device capable of measuring color characteristics and providing texture variables. The coating variables may describe various coating characteristics associated with a target coating. For example, the coating variables may comprise one or more variables that are associated with one or more coating sparkle color characteristics, coating texture characteristics, coating color characteristics, coating color travel characteristics, or any other available coating characteristics provided by conventional coating-measurement instruments. The received coating variables may be in the form of various variables that have to be correlated to the desired coating sparkle color characteristics, coating texture characteristics, coating color characteristics, and/or coating color travel characteristics. The received coating characteristics may comprise proprietary information that is specific to a particular measurement device. The proprietary information can be mapped to desired texture attributes, such as the characteristics listed above. As such, an entire set of received coating variables may comprise subsets of variables that can be grouped as coating sparkle color characteristics, coating texture characteristics, coating color characteristics, coating color travel characteristics, or any other available coating characteristics provided by conventional coating-measurement instruments.

Using the systems and methods described above, in various implementations, the received coating variables can be used to calculate sparkle color ratings. For example, techniques similar to those disclosed in PCT/US2015/057782, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, can be used for calculating a sparkle color rating. In short, an image of a coating can be obtained from a camera, a camera-enabled spectrometer, or any other source. The distribution of colored sparkles may then be determined within a coating at a multitude of angles. Because micas and xirallics change colors uniquely over various viewing angles and conditions, the appropriate pearl may be selected for a search or formulation algorithm, and a relative ratio as to the amount of each required to match the target coating may be estimated. Also, the sparkle color may be used to assist in selection of, for example, appropriate aluminums and other special effect pigments such as glass flake because the color of such materials does not shift over various angles. Thus, various ratios can be determined—for example, ratios of aluminums to pearls in effect coatings or ratios of green aluminum flakes to yellow aluminum flakes.

In various additional or alternative embodiments, a high pass filter may be applied to the target image to determine the brightest spots amongst the various pixels in the image. The resultant data/image may include information on only the bright locations. The high pass filter may convolve a matrix of values with a high value center point and low value edge points with the matrix of intensity information of the image. This isolates high intensity pixels. To further refine the sparkle points, an edge detection method of filtering may be applied in conjunction with the intensity filtering.

In various additional or alternative embodiments individual sparkle points may be labeled and counted, thus isolating/labeling them based upon hue range. As such, the described method may result in a count of labeled sparkle points, each meeting criteria based upon the individual hue criteria, which can then be formatted and output as desired.

Additional or alternative embodiments may include the use of a series of hue-based band pass filters that identify individual hue regions independent of lightness and/or brightness. Regional labeling and analysis of chroma and lightness (and/or brightness) of the regions may be used to isolate individual sparkle points within each hue band. Such a technique may determine sparkle points while estimating the percentage of the image that falls within each hue to enable a relatively quick analysis of color change in sparkle color over multiple images to supplement any further identification. In various embodiments, a band stop filter may be used in place of or in combination with a band pass filter.

As used herein, the sparkle color ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating sparkle color characteristics of a target coating and respective coating sparkle color characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. For example, the target coating may comprise a yellow-green aluminum flake color, while at least one of the proposed coating matches may comprise a yellow-blue aluminum flake color.

In at least one additional or alternative implementation, the sparkle color rating can be calculated by calculating a percentage match of the sparkle color and ratio information from a target coating and the sparkle color and ratio information from one or more proposed match coatings. For example, the target coating may comprise a ratio of yellow-to-blue flakes of 1 yellow flake for every 2 blue flakes. In contrast, a proposed matched coating may comprise a ratio of 1 yellow flake for every 4 blue flakes. A resulting sparkle color rating may be 50% because the proposed match only comprises 50% of the target coatings sparkle color ratio.

Additionally, in additional or alternative embodiments, human perception can be used to calculate a relative sparkle color rating. For example, using techniques described above, a large group of individuals can provide their perceptions relating to comparative sparkle colors of several different coatings. Correlation functions can then be calculated based upon statistical relationships between the above calculated sparkle color ratios and the human perception data. The correlation function can then generate sparkle color ratings as described above.

Additionally, the received coating characteristics can be used to calculate human-perceived effect texture ratings. For example, the coating characteristics can be used to calculate human-perceived effect texture ratings for multiple respective proposed coating matches. As used herein, the effect textures ratings are also referred to herein as overall perceived textures (as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 2A-2C). The effect texture rating can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating characteristics of a target coating and respective coating textures characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. For example, the target coating may comprise a relatively coarse aluminum flake effect, while at least one of the proposed coating matches may comprise a relatively fine aluminum flake effect.

As such, in at least one implementation, the effect texture rating can indicate whether the one or more coating characteristics associated with each respective proposed coating match is more coarse or more fine than the target coating. Additionally, in at least one implementation, the effect texture rating can indicate whether the one or more coating characteristics associated with each respective proposed coating match comprises more or less texture than the target coating. In at least one implementation, the indicated similarities are determined using correlations based upon human-perceived texture differences, as disclosed above.

The received coating variables can also be used to calculate conventional color coating ratings and/or human-perceived coating color ratings. For example, the coating color characteristics can be calculated using known color matching techniques that are then normalized to a desired scale for display. Additionally or alternatively, the coating variables can be used to calculate human-perceived coating color ratings for multiple respective proposed coating matches using methods similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2C. For example, a correlation can be identified between the visual perceptions of multiple users regarding color similarity and the coating variables. As used herein, the coating color ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating color characteristics of a target coating and respective coating color characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. For example, the target coating may comprise a deep blue color, while at least one of the proposed coating matches may comprise a midnight blue color. In at least one implementation, the indicated similarities are determined using correlations based upon human-perceived texture differences, as disclosed above.

Further, the received coating variables can also be used to calculate human-perceived color travel ratings. For example, the coating color travel variables can be used to calculate color travel using conventional methods or to calculate human-perceived color travel ratings for multiple respective proposed coating matches using methods similar to those described above. As used herein, the coating color travel ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating color travel characteristics of a target coating and respective coating color travel characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. For example, the target coating may comprise a color that travels from a blue color to a green color over a specific angle transition, while at least one of the proposed coating matches may comprise a color that travels from a blue color to a gold color over the same angle transition. In at least one implementation, the indicated similarities are determined using correlations based upon human-perceived texture differences, as disclosed above.

Once a desired rating or combination of ratings is calculated, a computer processor that is in communication with a display device can send instructions to generate a graphical representation of coating-related information on a user interface that depicts a visual ordering of at least a portion of the proposed coating matches. The overall rankings may indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the proposed coating matches with respect to one or more of the various ratings.

In various implementations, the overall rankings may comprise a single rating for each proposed match that indicates the overall texture similarity between each respective proposed match and the target coating. In contrast, in at least one implementation, the overall rankings comprise one or more of a sparkle color rating, an effect texture rating, a coating color rating, or a color travel rating for each respective proposed match coating. Further, in at least one implementation, the ratings may be with respect to an entire color space, such that the target coating is associated with one or more ratings that are not with respective to specific proposed match coatings.

Returning now to the user interface 600 of FIG. 6, the user interface 600 depicts various implementations of ratings and other coating information. One will understand, however, that the depicted user interface is provided for clarity and is not meant to limit implementations of the user interface 600 to particular visual elements, layouts, or other similar depicted features.

The user interface 600 comprises various elements, including, a proposed match element 610, an image of the target coating 615, and a match information section 620. The proposed match element 610 may comprise information about a particular coating that was selected based upon it comprising the closest overall match to the target coating 615. For example, the proposed match element 610 may comprise information about a proposed match coating that comprises the least average differentiation between the proposed match coating's texture and color characteristics and the texture and color characteristics gathered from the target coating. Additional proposed match coatings may be ordered based using a similar calculation, where they are order by least average differentiation to greatest average differentiation.

The match information section 620 comprises various data columns 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 695 for providing information about each respective proposed match. For example, the depicted exemplary match information section 620 comprises a proposed match coating image column 630, a match rating column 640, a sparkle color column 650, an effect texture column 660, a color travel column 670, a coating manufacturer column 680, a coating description column 690, and a paint system column 695. In alternate implementations, the match information section 620 may also comprise a column for effect coarseness that indicates whether a coating is more or less coarse than the target coating.

The proposed match coating image column 630 can comprise images of each respective proposed match coating. In at least one implementation, the images may comprise pictures of each of the proposed match coatings taken under similar light conditions. A user may compare the images within the proposed match coating image column 630 to the image of the target color 615. The ability to compare the images of the proposed coatings 630 with the image of the target coating 615 provides a user with the ability to visually distinguish between potential matches.

The match rating column 640 can comprise color coating ratings. The color coating ratings may indicate a similarity between the coating color characteristics of the target coating and respective coating color characteristics of each of the proposed coating matches. The color coating ratings may be depicted in a variety of different forms. For example, in FIG. 6, the color coating ratings are depicted as a numerical value (with the lower numbers being a closer match to the target coating).

In at least one implementation, the depicted number may be derived using the human-perceived ratings described above. For example, the depicted numerical values may be derived using a correlation similar to that depicted and described within respect to FIGS. 3 and 5. Additionally, in at least one implementation, the resulting values from the human-derived correlation function can be normalized to fit a particular scale (e.g., 1-100). Further, to increase the ease with which the number can be interpreted, in at least one implementation, the numbers can also be color-coded such that lower numbers are a particular color on a spectrum (e.g., green) while higher numbers are a different color on the spectrum (e.g., yellow or red).

The sparkle color column 650 can comprise sparkle color ratings. The sparkle color ratings may indicate a similarity between the coating sparkle color characteristics of the target coating and respective coating sparkle color characteristics of each of the proposed coating matches. The sparkle color ratings may be depicted in a variety of different forms. For example, in FIG. 6, the color coating ratings are depicted as a numerical value. The numerical values and depictions thereof may also utilize the human-perceived ratings described above. In the depicted implementation, the higher sparkle color ratings indicate a closer match. One will note that this association is opposite from the association within the matching ratings column 640. In at least one implementation, displaying contrasting rating systems may help prevent inadvertent misreading by a user.

The effect texture column 660 can comprise effect ratings. The effect texture ratings may indicate a similarity between the coating texture characteristics of the target coating and respective coating texture characteristics of each of the proposed coating matches. The effect texture ratings may be depicted in a variety of different forms. For example, in FIG. 6, the color coating ratings are depicted as a graphical slider.

The graphical slider may comprise various colors and/or increments that visually depict the similarity (or dissimilarity) between the effect texture of the target coating the effect textures of the various respective proposed matching coatings. In at least one implementation, the graphical slider values may be derived using the human-perceived ratings described above. For example, the relative values associated with the graphical slider may be derived using a correlation similar to that depicted and described within respect to FIGS. 3 and 5. Additionally, in at least one implementation, the resulting values from the human-derived correlation function can be normalized to fit a particular scale (e.g., −2 to +2).

Further, to increase the ease with which the number can be interpreted, in at least one implementation, the graphical slider can also be color-coded such that values within an ideal range are a particular color on a spectrum (e.g., green) while values outside of the ideal range are a different color on the spectrum (e.g., yellow or red). In at least one implementation, in addition to providing a user within an indication about the similarity between effect textures, the graphical slider also allows a user to determine whether a proposed matching coating comprises more or less effect texture than the target coating.

The color travel column 670 can comprise color travel ratings. The color travel ratings may indicate a similarity between the coating color travel characteristics of the target coating and respective coating color travel characteristics of each of the proposed coating matches. The color travel ratings may be depicted in a variety of different forms. For example, in FIG. 6, the color coating ratings are depicted as a textual description of the match. In particular, the texture descriptions comprise descriptions such as “OK,” “Face: Lighter,” “Face: Bluer,” “Flop: Yellower,” and “Flow: Redder, Yellower.” As such, a user may be provided with an indication that the color travel is a match (i.e., “OK”) or a description of the differences in the color travel.

In at least one implementation, the textual description may be derived using the human-perceived ratings described above. For example, the depicted textual description may be derived using a correlation similar to that depicted and described within respect to FIGS. 3 and 5. For example, the resulting correlation values may be associated with specific color differences (e.g., yellower, redder, etc.). When describing the color travel of various proposed match coating, a description “OK” can be used to describe colors that fall within a desired threshold of the target coating. Color travel ratings associated with proposed match coatings that fall outside the threshold can then be described with a color difference, as determined by the human-perceived correlations.

The coating manufacturer column 680, coating description column 690, and paint system column 695 each depict various textual information relating to each respective proposed match coating. The depicted information can be gathered from a coating information database 140 (depicted in FIG. 1). The information may assist a user in both verifying a match and in ordering or mixing a desired coating. For example, the user may be searching for a paint match for a particular brand of automobile. Verifying that the proposed match coating is associated with the manufacturer for the particular brand of automobile may server to further verify that a proposed match is correct.

Accordingly, FIG. 6 depicts an implementation of a user interface 600 that depicts various columns 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 695 for providing information about each respective proposed match. The depicted columns comprise various different visual depictions of ratings, including a graphical slider, a numerical value, and a textual description. While the visual depictions of ratings are each associated with particular columns and data in FIG. 6, one will understand that the particular visual depictions of ratings are only shown for the sake of example, and in alternate implementations, the respective visual depictions of ratings may be associated with other columns and data. As such, any of rating within the columns 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 695 may be properly depicted using any combination of graphical sliders, numerical values, and/or textual descriptions.

In at least one implementation, when generating a user interface 600 the system can receive from a user a preferred characteristic. The preferred characteristic may comprise effect texture ratings, sparkle color ratings, coating color ratings, color travel ratings, or any other rating of interest. The overall rankings, or ordering, of the proposed coating matches may then by sorted based upon the preferred characteristic received from the user.

For example, a user may be particularly interested in matching the color travel of a target paint. Selecting the color travel rating as a preferred characteristic can cause the system to sort the proposed match coatings such that the color travel rating is prioritized. Prioritizing a particular characteristic may comprise simply sorting by the preferred characteristics—without regard to the similarity of any other characteristics. In contrast, in an alternate implementation, prioritizing a particular characteristic may cause the system to rely upon the preferred characteristic when breaking ties between proposed matching colors. Further, in at least one implementation, prioritizing a particular characteristic may cause the system to weight the preferred characteristic with respect to the other characteristics such that proposed match coatings with similar preferred characteristics are sorted higher in the ranking than they otherwise would have been.

Similarly, in at least one implementation, when generating a user interface 600 the system can receive from a user one or more characteristic thresholds. The one or more characteristic thresholds may comprise user-defined acceptable thresholds relating to effect texture ratings, sparkle color ratings, coating color ratings, color travel ratings, or any other rating of interest. The overall rankings, or ordering, of the proposed coating matches may then be sorted based upon the user-defined acceptable thresholds received from the user.

For example, a user may be particularly interested in matching the effect texture of a target paint. To ensure a close match, the user can set a user-defined acceptable threshold for effect texture of +/−3. In at least one implementation, the system will exclude all proposed coating matches that fail to meet the user-defined acceptable thresholds.

Turning now to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 depicts another exemplary coating texture information user interface 700. In particular, FIG. 7 depicts a user interface 700 for describing only the target coating without any proposed match coatings. In the depicted implementation, the user interface 700 comprises an image 710, or photograph, of the target coating. Additionally, the user interface 700 depicts a name 712 associated with the target coating, a color value 714, and an overall texture rating 720. The name 712 may be provided manually by a user, may comprise a temporary sample name, or may be otherwise provided. The color value 714 may comprise a color match that is derived from the target coating itself. In various implementations, however, the color value 714 may not be depicted.

The overall texture value 720 may comprise an overall texture value that describes in a single value the texture of the target coating. The overall texture value 720 may be calculated directing from human-perspective texture comparison charts 250 (shown in FIG. 2) that directly request an “overall perceived texture” indication. In at least one implementation, however, the overall texture value 720 can be calculated based upon a subset of other texture ratings, 740, 750, 760. For example, the overall texture rating 714 can be calculated by averaging at least the sparkle color rating 740, the effect texture rating 750, and the color travel rating 760.

In at least one implementation, the user interface 700 can also comprise a data portion 770 that allows a user to view conventional texture data. For example, the data portion 770 may be visually expandable to display all data and variables received from a coating-measurement instrument. In at least one implementation, however, the data portion 770 is initially hidden from view, such that the interface 700 depicts a simple and clean organization of information. Additionally, in at least one implementation, the texture ratings 730, 740, 750, 760, other than the overall rating 720, are also not depicted initially.

As depicted, the user interface 700 can display various texture ratings 720, 740, 750, 760 for a target color 710 without respect to particular proposed match coating ratings. In at least one implementation, the various depicted ratings 720, 730, 740, 750, 760 are calculated with respect to large number of other coating configurations. For example, the ratings 720, 730, 740, 750, 760 may be calculated with respect to every other coating stored within the coating information database 140. In contrast, in at least one implementation, the ratings 720, 730, 740, 750, 760 can be calculated with respect to a specific color space, defined either automatically or by a user. For example, a user may wish to know the each of the ratings 720, 730, 740, 750, 760 for the target color 710 with respect to the coatings provided by a particular manufacturer. As such, each of the ratings 720, 730, 740, 750, 760 can be calculated as compared to every coating provided by that particular manufacturer.

Accordingly, FIGS. 1-7 and the corresponding text depict or otherwise describe various implementations of the present invention that are adapted to analyze a paint sample and generate values that describe various attributes of a target coating. In particular, the implementations of a user interface described above can display simple texture ratings that describe various unique aspects of texture characteristics. Additionally, in at least one implementation, a user interface can display ratings that are based upon human-perceptions of various textures and coatings.

For example, FIG. 8 illustrates that a method for matching a paint sample to various proposed paint coatings can include an act 800 of receiving coating variables. Act 800 can comprise receiving one or more coating variables of a target coating from a coating-measurement instrument. For example, as depicted and described with respect to FIG. 1, a coating texture calculation software application 100 (e.g., executed on computer system 160) can receive from a camera-enabled spectrophotometer 110 various coating variables.

Additionally, FIG. 8 shows that the method can include, in any order, one or more of act 810, act 820, act 830, and/or act 840 for displaying effect texture ratings, sparkle color ratings, coating color ratings, and/or coating travel ratings, respectively. Acts 810-840 can comprise displaying respective ratings 810, 820, 830, 840 for multiple respective proposed coating matches on a digital display device. The respective ratings can indicate a similarity between the one or more coating characteristics of the target coating and respective coating characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches. For example, as depicted and described in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the accompanying descriptions, a user interface 600, 700 can display any combination of an overall texture rating 720, a match rating 640, 730, a sparkle color rating 650, 740, an effect texture rating 660, 740, a color travel rating 670, 760, or any other coating rating.

FIG. 8 also shows that the method can include an act 850 of ordering proposed coating matches. Act 850 can comprise ordering at least a portion of the proposed coating matches. The ordering indicates a strength in similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the coating texture ratings. For example, as depicted and described with respect to FIG. 6, a set of proposed coating matches 620 can be sorted based upon the similarity of each respective proposed match coating with respect to the various coating ratings 640, 650, 660, 670.

Accordingly, implementations of a texture matching computer system can provide unique and novel methods and systems for processing and displaying coating-specific texture information. Additionally, implementations of a texture information user interface can display a single overall texture rating or a set of attribute-specific texture ratings. Further, in at least one implementation, the various texture ratings can be based upon human-perceived correlations.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the described features or acts described above, or the order of the acts described above. Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

The present invention may comprise or utilize a special-purpose or general-purpose computer system that includes computer hardware, such as, for example, one or more processors and system memory, as discussed in greater detail below. Embodiments within the scope of the present invention also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions and/or data structures are computer storage media. Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions and/or data structures are transmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, embodiments of the invention can comprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readable media: computer storage media and transmission media.

Computer storage media are physical storage media that store computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Physical storage media include computer hardware, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid state drives (“SSDs”), flash memory, phase-change memory (“PCM”), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other hardware storage device(s) which can be used to store program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures, which can be accessed and executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system to implement the disclosed functionality of the invention.

Transmission media can include a network and/or data links which can be used to carry program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures, and which can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer system, the computer system may view the connection as transmission media. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can be transferred automatically from transmission media to computer storage media (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a “NTC”), and then eventually transferred to computer system RAM and/or to less volatile computer storage media at a computer system. Thus, it should be understood that computer storage media can be included in computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which, when executed at one or more processors, cause a general-purpose computer system, special-purpose computer system, or special-purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. As such, in a distributed system environment, a computer system may include a plurality of constituent computer systems. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the invention may be practiced in a cloud-computing environment. Cloud computing environments may be distributed, although this is not required. When distributed, cloud computing environments may be distributed internationally within an organization and/or have components possessed across multiple organizations. In this description and the following claims, “cloud computing” is defined as a model for enabling on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services). The definition of “cloud computing” is not limited to any of the other numerous advantages that can be obtained from such a model when properly deployed.

A cloud-computing model can be composed of various characteristics, such as on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, measured service, and so forth. A cloud-computing model may also come in the form of various service models such as, for example, Software as a Service (“SaaS”), Platform as a Service (“PaaS”), and Infrastructure as a Service (“IaaS”). The cloud-computing model may also be deployed using different deployment models such as private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, and so forth.

Some embodiments, such as a cloud-computing environment, may comprise a system that includes one or more hosts that are each capable of running one or more virtual machines. During operation, virtual machines emulate an operational computing system, supporting an operating system and perhaps one or more other applications as well. In some embodiments, each host includes a hypervisor that emulates virtual resources for the virtual machines using physical resources that are abstracted from view of the virtual machines. The hypervisor also provides proper isolation between the virtual machines. Thus, from the perspective of any given virtual machine, the hypervisor provides the illusion that the virtual machine is interfacing with a physical resource, even though the virtual machine only interfaces with the appearance (e.g., a virtual resource) of a physical resource. Examples of physical resources including processing capacity, memory, disk space, network bandwidth, media drives, and so forth.

The present invention therefore relates in particular, without being limited thereto, to the following aspects:

-   -   1. A computer implemented method comprising:         -   receiving, using at least one processor, one or more coating             characteristics of a target coating selected from sparkle             color characteristics, coating texture characteristics,             coating color characteristics and coating color travel             characteristics and combinations thereof from a             coating-measurement instrument;         -   accessing, using the processor, a database comprising             corresponding coating characteristics for a plurality of             reference coatings and associated comparative human ratings             of the visual appearance of different reference coatings;         -   identifying, using the processor, a plurality of prospective             matching coatings from the plurality of reference coatings;         -   determining, using the processor, based on the received one             or more coating characteristics of the target coating and             the data stored in the database, ratings indicating             similarity between the target coating and each of the             identified prospective matching reference coatings with             respect to one or more of the coating characteristics;         -   displaying, using the processor, the determined ratings for             at least a portion of the plurality of prospective matching             reference coatings to a user; and         -   ordering, using the processor, at least a portion of the             prospective matching reference coatings based on the             determined ratings with respect to one or more of the             coating characteristics.     -   2. The computer implemented method according to aspect 1,         wherein:         -   The step of receiving, using the processor, one or more             coating characteristics of the target coating from the             coating-measurement instrument comprises receiving, using             the processor, one or more coating texture characteristics             of the target coating;         -   the step of determining ratings indicating similarity             between the target coating and each of the identified             prospective matching reference coatings with respect to one             or more of the coating characteristics comprises             determining, using the processor, based on the received one             or more coating texture characteristics of the target             coating and the data stored in the database, ratings             indicating similarity between the target coating and each of             the identified prospective matching reference coatings with             respect to one or more of the coating texture             characteristics; and         -   wherein the ordering is based on the determined ratings with             respect to one or more of the coating texture             characteristics.     -   3. The computer implemented method according to aspect 2,         wherein:         -   the step of receiving, using the processor, one or more             coating characteristics of the target coating from the             coating-measurement instrument further comprises receiving,             using the processor, one or more sparkle color             characteristics of the target coating;         -   the step of determining ratings indicating similarity             between the target coating and each of the identified             prospective matching reference coatings with respect to one             or more of the coating characteristics further comprises             determining, using the processor, based on the received one             or more sparkle color characteristics of the target coating             and the data stored in the database, ratings indicating             similarity between the target coating and each of the             identified prospective matching reference coatings with             respect to one or more of the sparkle color characteristics,             and         -   wherein the ordering is also based on the determined ratings             with respect to one or more of the sparkle color             characteristics.     -   4. The computer implemented method according to aspect 2 or 3,         wherein:         -   the step of receiving, using the processor, one or more             coating characteristics of the target coating from the             coating-measurement instrument further comprises receiving,             using the processor, one or more coating color             characteristics of the target coating;         -   the step of determining ratings indicating similarity             between the target coating and each of the identified             prospective matching reference coatings with respect to one             or more of the coating characteristics comprises             determining, using the processor, based on the received one             or more coating color characteristics of the target coating             and the data stored in the database, ratings indicating             similarity between the target coating and each of the             identified prospective matching reference coatings with             respect to one or more of the coating color characteristics,             and         -   wherein the ordering is also based on the determined ratings             with respect to one or more of the coating color             characteristics.     -   5. The computer implemented method according to any one of the         preceding aspects, further comprising:         -   receiving a preferred characteristic from a user input,             wherein the preferred characteristic is a coating texture             characteristic, a coating sparkle color characteristic, or a             coating color characteristic; and         -   wherein the ordering is determined by prioritizing the             preferred characteristic.     -   6. The computer implemented method according to any one of the         preceding aspects, further comprising:         -   receiving from a user one or more characteristic thresholds,             wherein the one or more characteristic thresholds define             user-defined acceptable thresholds relating to one or more             coating texture characteristic(s), one or more coating             sparkle color characteristic(s), and/or one or more coating             color characteristic(s); and         -   wherein the ordering accounts for the one or more             characteristic thresholds.     -   7. The computer implemented method according to any one of the         preceding aspects 2-6, wherein:         -   the step of receiving, using the processor, one or more             coating characteristics of the target coating from the             coating-measurement instrument further comprises receiving,             using the processor, one or more coating color travel             characteristics of the target coating;         -   the step of determining ratings indicating similarity             between the target coating and each of the identified             prospective matching reference coatings with respect to one             or more of the coating characteristics comprises             determining, using the processor, based on the received one             or more coating color travel characteristics of the target             coating and the data stored in the database, ratings             indicating similarity between the target coating and each of             the identified prospective matching reference coatings with             respect to one or more of the coating color travel             characteristics, and         -   wherein the ordering is also based on the determined ratings             with respect to one or more of the coating color travel             characteristics.     -   8. The computer implemented method according to aspect 7         comprising displaying, using the processor, the determined         ratings indicating similarity between the target coating and         each of the identified prospective matching reference coatings         with respect to one or more of the coating color travel         characteristics for at least a portion of the plurality of         prospective matching reference coatings to a user, wherein the         displaying comprises displaying a visual indication indicating a         difference in face or flop color.     -   9. The computer implemented method according to any one of the         preceding aspects 2-8 comprising displaying, using the         processor, the determined ratings indicating similarity between         the target coating and each of the identified prospective         matching reference coatings with respect to one or more of the         coating texture characteristics for at least a portion of the         plurality of prospective matching reference coatings to a user,         wherein the displaying comprises (a) displaying a visual         indication indicating whether the one or more coating texture         characteristics associated with each of the prospective matching         reference coatings is more coarse or more fine compared to the         target coating, and/or (b) displaying a visual indication         indicating whether the one or more coating texture         characteristics associated with each of the prospective matching         reference coatings comprise more or less texture compared to the         target coating.     -   10. The computer implemented method according to any one of the         preceding aspects wherein the coating-measurement instrument is         a camera-equipped spectrometer.     -   11. A system comprising:         -   a user interface comprising a display;         -   a database comprising one or more coating characteristics             for a plurality of reference coatings and associated             comparative human ratings of the visual appearance of             different reference coatings;         -   a coating-measurement instrument;         -   at least one processor in communication with the user             interface, the database and the coating-measurement             instrument, wherein the at least one processor is configured             to:         -   receive from the coating-measurement instrument one or more             coating characteristics of a target coating selected from             sparkle color characteristics, coating texture             characteristics, coating color characteristics, coating             color travel characteristics and combinations thereof;         -   identify a plurality of prospective matching coatings from             the plurality of reference coatings in the database;         -   determine, based on the received one or more coating             characteristics of the target coating and the data stored in             the database, ratings indicating similarity between the             target coating and each of the identified prospective             matching reference coatings with respect to one or more of             the coating characteristics;         -   display the determined ratings for at least a portion of the             plurality of prospective matching reference coatings on the             display to a user; and         -   order at least a portion of the prospective matching             reference coatings based on the determined ratings with             respect to one or more of the coating characteristics.     -   12. The system according to aspect 11, wherein the processor is         configured to:         -   receive from the coating-measurement instrument one or more             coating texture characteristics of the target coating;         -   determine, based on the received one or more coating texture             characteristics of the target coating and the data stored in             the database, ratings indicating similarity between the             target coating and each of the identified prospective             matching reference coatings with respect to one or more of             the coating texture characteristics; and         -   wherein the ordering is based on the determined ratings with             respect to one or more of the coating texture             characteristics.     -   13. The system according to aspect 12, wherein the processor is         further configured to:         -   receive from the coating-measurement instrument one or more             sparkle color characteristics of the target coating;         -   determine, based on the received one or more sparkle color             characteristics of the target coating and the data stored in             the database, ratings indicating similarity between the             target coating and each of the identified prospective             matching reference coatings with respect to one or more of             the sparkle color characteristics; and         -   wherein the ordering is also based on the determined ratings             with respect to one or more of the sparkle color             characteristics.     -   14. The system according to aspect 13, wherein determining the         ratings indicating similarity between the target coating and         each of the identified prospective matching reference coatings         with respect to one or more of the sparkle color characteristics         comprises calculating a coating sparkle color ratio of first         colored sparkles to second colored sparkles.     -   15. The system according to any one of aspect 12 to aspect 14,         wherein the processor is further configured to:         -   receive from the coating-measurement instrument one or more             coating color characteristics of the target coating;         -   determine, based on the received one or more coating color             characteristics of the target coating and the data stored in             the database, ratings indicating similarity between the             target coating and each of the identified prospective             matching reference coatings with respect to one or more of             the coating color characteristics; and         -   wherein the ordering is also based on the determined ratings             with respect to one or more of the coating color             characteristics.     -   16. The system according to any one of the preceding aspects         11-15, wherein the processor is further configured to:         -   receive via the user interface a preferred characteristic             from a user, wherein the preferred characteristic is a             coating texture characteristic, a coating sparkle color             characteristic, or a coating color characteristic; and         -   wherein the ordering is determined by prioritizing the             preferred characteristic.     -   17. The system according to any one of the preceding aspects         11-16, wherein the processor is further configured to:         -   receive via the user interface from a user one or more             characteristic thresholds, wherein the one or more             characteristic thresholds define user-defined acceptable             thresholds relating to one or more coating texture             characteristic(s), one or more coating sparkle color             characteristic(s), and/or one or more coating color             characteristic(s); and         -   wherein the ordering accounts for the one or more             characteristic thresholds.     -   18. The system according to any one of the preceding aspects         12-17, wherein the processor is further configured to:         -   receive from the coating-measurement instrument one or more             coating color travel characteristics of the target coating;         -   determine, based on the received one or more coating color             travel characteristics of the target coating and the data             stored in the database, ratings indicating similarity             between the target coating and each of the identified             prospective matching reference coatings with respect to one             or more of the coating color travel characteristics; and         -   wherein the ordering is also based on the determined ratings             with respect to one or more of the coating color travel             characteristics.     -   19. The system according to any one of the preceding aspects         12-18 wherein the processor is further configured to display to         the user on the display (a) a visual indication indicating         whether the one or more coating texture characteristics         associated with each of the prospective matching reference         coatings is more coarse or more fine compared to the target         coating, and/or (b) a visual indication indicating whether the         one or more coating texture characteristics associated with each         of the prospective matching reference coatings comprise more or         less texture compared to the target coating.     -   20. The system according to any one of the preceding aspects         11-19, wherein the coating-measurement instrument is a         camera-equipped spectrometer.     -   21. A non-transitory computer readable medium including software         for causing a processor to:         -   receive from a coating-measurement instrument one or more             coating characteristics of a target coating selected from             sparkle color characteristics, coating texture             characteristics, coating color characteristics, coating             color travel characteristics and combinations thereof;         -   access a database comprising corresponding coating             characteristics for a plurality of reference coatings and             associated comparative human ratings of the visual             appearance of different reference coatings;         -   identify a plurality of prospective matching coatings from             the plurality of reference coatings in the database;         -   determine, based on the received one or more coating             characteristics of the target coating and the data stored in             the database, ratings indicating similarity between the             target coating and each of the identified prospective             matching reference coatings with respect to one or more of             the coating characteristics;         -   display the determined ratings for at least a portion of the             plurality of prospective matching reference coatings on the             display to a user; and         -   order at least a portion of the prospective matching             reference coatings based on the determined ratings with             respect to one or more of the coating characteristics.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

We claim:
 1. A computer system for analyzing a coating sample and generating values that describe various attributes of a proposed matching color, comprising one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors configure the computer system to perform at least the following: receive from a coating-measurement instrument one or more coating variables of a target coating; calculate sparkle ratings for each of multiple proposed coating matches, wherein: the sparkle ratings indicate differences in sparkle between a target coating sparkle and sparkle associated with each of the multiple proposed coating matches, and each sparkle ratings is derived from a statistical mapping of the one or more coating texture variables to human-perceived rankings of relative sparkle differences between a set of coatings that does not include the target coating; and send instructions to generate a user interface that depicts overall rankings of at least a portion of the multiple proposed coating matches, wherein the overall rankings indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the sparkle ratings.
 2. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising computer-executable instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to configure the computer system to: receive from the coating-measurement instrument one or more coating texture variables of the target coating; calculate effect texture ratings for multiple respective proposed coating matches, wherein the effect texture ratings indicate a similarity between the one or more coating texture variables of the target coating and respective coating textures variables of each of the proposed coating matches; and wherein the overall rankings also indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the multiple proposed coating matches with respect to the effect texture ratings.
 3. The computer system of claim 2, further comprising computer-executable instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to configure the computer system to: receive from the coating-measurement instrument one or more coating variables of the target coating; calculate coating color ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches, wherein the coating color ratings indicate a similarity between one or more coating color characteristics of the target coating, based upon the one or more coating variables, and respective coating color characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches; and wherein the overall rankings also indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the multiple proposed coating matches with respect to the coating color ratings.
 4. The computer system of claim 3, further comprising computer-executable instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to configure the computer system to: receive from a user a preferred characteristic, wherein the preferred characteristic is coating texture, coating sparkle, or coating color; and wherein the overall rankings are determined by prioritizing the preferred characteristic.
 5. The computer system of claim 3, further comprising computer-executable instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to configure the computer system to: receive from a user one or more characteristic thresholds, wherein the one or more characteristic thresholds define user-defined acceptable thresholds relating to coating texture, coating sparkle, or coating color; and wherein overall rankings account for the one or more characteristic thresholds.
 6. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising computer-executable instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to configure the computer system to: receive from the coating-measurement instrument one or more coating variables of the target coating; calculate coating color travel ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches, wherein the coating color travel ratings indicate a similarity between one or more coating color travel characteristics of the target coating, based upon the one or more coating variables, and respective coating color travel characteristics of each of the multiple proposed coating matches; and wherein the overall rankings also indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the coating color travel ratings.
 7. The computer system of claim 2, wherein calculating the effect texture ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches comprises determining whether one or more coating texture characteristics is more coarse or more fine than the target coating.
 8. The computer system of claim 2, wherein calculating the effect texture ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches comprises determining whether one or more coating texture characteristics associated with each respective proposed coating match indicates more or less texture than the target coating.
 9. The computer system of claim 1, wherein calculating the sparkle ratings for the multiple proposed coating matches comprises identifying a target coating sparkle of first colored texture sparkles to second colored texture sparkles within the target coating.
 10. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the coating-measurement instrument gathers image data from the target coating that is used to calculate the sparkle ratings.
 11. A computerized method for execution on a computer system, comprising one or more processors, system memory, and one or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions, the method for matching a paint sample to various proposed paint coatings, comprising the acts of: receiving one or more coating variables of a target coating from a coating-measurement instrument; displaying effect texture ratings for each of multiple proposed coating matches on a digital display device, wherein: the effect texture ratings indicate differences in effect textures between a target coating effect texture and effect textures associated with each of the multiple proposed coating matches, and each effect texture ratings is derived from a statistical mapping of the coating texture variables to human-perceived rankings of relative effect texture differences between a set of coatings that does not include the target coating; and ordering at least a portion of the proposed coating matches, wherein an ordering indicates a strength in similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the multiple proposed coating matches with respect to the coating texture ratings.
 12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising: receiving from the coating-measurement instrument one or more sparkle variables of the target coating; displaying sparkle ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches, wherein the sparkle ratings indicate a similarity between the one or more sparkle variables of the target coating and respective sparkle variables of each of the respective proposed coating matches; and wherein the ordering also indicates a strength in similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the sparkle ratings.
 13. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising: receiving from the coating-measurement instrument one or more coating variables of the target coating; displaying coating color ratings for the multiple respective proposed coating matches, wherein the coating color ratings indicate a similarity between one or more coating color characteristics of the target coating, based upon the one or more coating variables, and respective coating color characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches; and wherein the ordering also indicates a strength in similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the proposed coating matches with respect to the coating color ratings.
 14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising: receiving a preferred characteristic from a user input, wherein the preferred characteristic is coating texture, coating sparkle, or coating color; and wherein the ordering is determined by prioritizing the preferred characteristic.
 15. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising: receiving from a user one or more characteristic thresholds, wherein the one or more characteristic thresholds define user-defined acceptable thresholds relating to coating texture, coating sparkle, or coating color; and wherein the ordering accounts for the one or more characteristic thresholds.
 16. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising: receiving from the coating-measurement instrument one or more coating color travel variables of the target coating; displaying, on the digital display device, coating color travel ratings for the multiple proposed coating matches, wherein the coating color travel ratings indicate a similarity between one or more coating color travel characteristics of the target coating, based upon the one or more coating color travel variables, and respective coating color travel characteristics of each of the respective proposed coating matches; and wherein the ordering also indicates strength in similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the multiple proposed coating matches with respect to the coating color travel ratings.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein displaying the coating color travel ratings for the multiple proposed coating matches comprises displaying a visual indication indicating a difference in face or flop color.
 18. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein displaying the effect texture ratings for the multiple proposed coating matches comprises displaying a visual indication indicating whether one or more coating texture characteristics associated with each respective proposed coating match is more coarse or more fine than the target coating.
 19. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein displaying the effect texture ratings for the multiple proposed coating matches comprises displaying an effect texture visual indication indicating whether one or more coating texture characteristics associated with each respective proposed coating match comprises more or less texture than the target coating.
 20. A computer program product comprising one or more computer storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed at a processor, cause a computer system to perform a method for analyzing a paint sample and generating values that describe various attributes of a proposed matching color, the method comprising: receiving from a coating-measurement instrument one or more coating texture variables and one or more coating sparkle variables of a target coating; calculating effect texture ratings for each of multiple proposed coating matches on a digital display device, wherein: the effect texture ratings indicate differences in effect textures between a target coating effect texture and effect textures associated with each of the multiple proposed coating matches, and each effect texture ratings is derived from a statistical mapping of the one or more coating texture variables to human-perceived rankings of relative effect texture differences between a set of coatings that does not include the target coating; calculating sparkle ratings for each of the multiple proposed coating matches, wherein: the sparkle ratings indicate differences in sparkle between a target coating sparkle and sparkle associated with each of the multiple proposed coating matches, and each sparkle ratings is derived from a statistical mapping of the one or more coating texture variables to human-perceived rankings of relative sparkle differences between a set of coatings that does not include the target coating; and generating a user interface that depicts overall rankings of at least a portion of the multiple proposed coating matches, wherein the overall rankings indicate a similarity between the target coating and each of the at least a portion of the multiple proposed coating matches with respect to the effect texture ratings and the sparkle ratings. 